Struggling women’s NPO faces closure
AN ORGANISATION providing protection to victims of domestic abuse faces closure if it does not find new premises.
Director of the Philisa Abafazi Bethu (help heal the women) organisation, geared at gender-based violence (GBV), Lucinda Evans said they have to vacate their premises in March or find at least two mobile classrooms.
Evans said they have already been offered space at Lavender Hill High School and signed a lease, but they have no unit to operate from.
“The Cafda property where my organisation has been running from was sold to make space for a new school in the area. The owners were kind enough to allow us to stay until mid-March.
“We are currently occupying part of the administration block. If we do not have two mobile classroom units, we will have to completely shut down our gender-based violence (GBV) programme.”
Evans started the organisation in the garage of her home.
“The programme is too big. The organisation is entirely funded from our own pockets and I had to sell my car in 2016 to keep the organisation going. We also have plans to build a family centre in the next two years.”
According to Evans, about 1 200 women were assisted by the organisation last year.
“Currently we cater to five informal settlements in the area, which includes Overcome Heights, Hillview, St Montague Village, Military Heights, as well as Phumlani Village.
“We will not be able to offer this service that is so obviously needed in the community, which includes court support where we support families at court where GBV cases are being heard.”
Evans said the “domestic violence front-line services, as well as women empowerment programmes, will be affected if the doors of the organisation have to close”.
“We also have an afterschool programme where children come in for four days a week. We accommodate 50 participants a week.”
Anyone who would like to contribute can contact the organisation on 021 802 4030.